Contributed RECOGNITION — Kara Bryan, a teacher at Indian Creek High School, was among 60 educators who received an Outstanding High School Teacher Award through the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools on Feb. 21 in Zanesville. Among those on hand were, from left, Ohio State Board of Education President Paul Larue, Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Paul Craft, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Steve Dackin and CORAS Executive Director Richard Murray.

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School educator Kara Bryan has been recognized for her work in the classroom and received an Outstanding High School Teacher Award through the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools.

She was among roughly 60 teachers who were recognized by their home districts during the event at Ohio University in Zanesville on Feb. 21. Bryan, who instructs freshman and sophomore English language arts and heads the English department at ICHS, was humbled by the distinction.

“I am very surprised and very honored to receive the award,” she said.

Bryan, a graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a secondary education certification from Xavier University. She has taught in the Indian Creek Local School District for the past seven years and said the vocation runs in the family.

“My mom was a high school English teacher, and I swore I would never be one,” she recalled. “Once I got to college, I realized how much I love working with kids and how much I love English. Now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Principal Louie Retton congratulated Bryan and said she was an important asset to the school.

“Kara Bryan is an outstanding teacher. She is a leader among her colleagues as she leads multiple professional learning communities with her department and grade level intervention team,” Retton added. “Bryan is a student-centered teacher, she always puts the needs of her students first. Not only is Bryan a great teacher, she is an even better person. She is a great faculty member and approaches every day in the most positive way.”

Indian Creek Superintendent T.C. Chappelear said Bryan exemplified the spirit of an educator and the award was deserved.

“Kara has been a great teacher for Indian Creek. I believe the district is fortunate to have Kara and dedicated teachers like her in Indian Creek classrooms.”

CORAS, which is in partnership with the Ohio University Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education, is an organization of 110 school districts and other educational institutions in the 32-county region of Ohio designated as Appalachia. Its mission is to advocate for and support the public schools of Appalachia Ohio in the continuous improvement of educational opportunities available to all the region’s children.